Look out black widows, brown widows are here to stay. Related to black widows but not as venomous, brown widows are more aggressive and often attack black widows. Read on to learn more about brown widows, how to identify them, and how to get rid of them.
Brown Widow Identification
Like most other spiders, brown widow females are larger than males and have different coloring. Females range from dark to medium brown with an orange hourglass marking under the abdomen and striped legs. Some have a mottled brown or tan appearance and other unique markings, which can make identifying them difficult.
One of the best ways to differentiate a brown widow spider from a black widow is to look at the egg sac. Brown widow spiders produce spiky egg sacs while black widows produce egg sacs that have a smooth surface.
Like the females, male brown widows have striped legs and vary in color from light to dark brown. They usually have white markings on the abdomen, but they lack the tell-tale hourglass shape on the underside.
Brown Widow Bites
When brown widows bite, it usually causes swelling and mild pain, like any other spider bite. To treat a brown widow spider bite, you can follow these steps:
- Clean the area with soapy water
- Apply a cool compress to help with swelling
- Take pain medication if needed
Some people have an allergic reaction to brown widow bites and may need emergency medical attention. However, this occurs rarely.
How to Eliminate and Prevent Brown Widows and Other Spiders
You can prevent brown widows and other spiders by trying the following:
- Hire a pest control service
- Seal up any cracks or gaps around the home
- Leave piles of wood far away from the house
- Limit the number of plants near the base of your home
Stewart’s Pest Service can spray your house to keep insects out of your home. Call or text our office at 801-226-2261 for a free pest control service quote!